Sodium carbonate
Na₂CO₃
Sodium carbonate is a white, odorless, and water-soluble inorganic compound also known as washing soda, soda ash, or Na2CO3. It has a chemical formula of Na2CO3, which is made up of two sodium ions (Na+) and one carbonate ion (CO3 2-). Sodium carbonate is commonly used in different industries such as cleaning products, glass manufacturing, water treatment, and paper production.
When sodium carbonate dissolves in water, it forms sodium ions (Na+) and carbonate ions (CO3 2-). This dissociation reaction makes sodium carbonate a strong electrolyte, meaning it can conduct electricity in solution. In addition, sodium carbonate reacts with acids to produce carbon dioxide gas (CO2), water (H2O), and a salt.
The production of sodium carbonate involves the Solvay process. This process involves reacting sodium chloride (NaCl) and limestone (CaCO3) with ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in a series of chemical reactions. The resulting compound is then filtered, dried, and processed to produce different grades of sodium carbonate.
In summary, sodium carbonate is a useful compound with different applications in various industries. It dissociates in solution to form sodium and carbonate ions and reacts with acids to produce carbon dioxide gas. Its production involves the Solvay process, which uses reactants such as sodium chloride, limestone, ammonia, and carbon dioxide.
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